I have the above sander and have owned it for several years.  Love the sander for the work it does and because it was so smooth and balanced.  Well it hit the concrete last year and it now has a bit of a wobble to it.  It drives me nuts as it's not the same tool anymore.  I've taken it a apart to some degree to see if I could see anything that didn't look right but I came up empty.   Does anyone have experience with something like this that might help me fix this tool?  One option is to take it in for repair and if they could fix it, the cost would probably warrant a new tool I'm guessing.  I may do that though to see what they say but thought I would check here first.  Wishing it would be something simple but more than likely not.. Thanks for your time.

Not the same brand but probably similar in function. May give you a hint as to the possible problem-

 

https://www.christinedemerchant.com/sander-autopsy.html

 

And this-

 

 

Both are interesting Lew, thanks for your time.  I may take it apart again and see if I may have missed something.  I too find it interesting to see the concepts of things.  And ya never know, sometimes the broken just starts working again.

While I have no iea what moght have happened, I am wondering....did you try changing thew speed to see if it made things different? (Assumption on my part that it's variable speed).

First thoughts say the sanding pad got bent.  If you knew someone to switch pads with would be cheapest check.  New pad $15=$20.

 

Does it wobble while running or just when you put it to the wood?

 

I agree, I have to take a hard look at the pad.  More than likely it made contact with the concrete when it fell.  I find it hard to believe it didn't already look at that but I'll do it again.  It's even worse when just holding it off the wood. Thanks!

Edited January 26, 20251 yr by Vet

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

While I have no iea what moght have happened, I am wondering....did you try changing thew speed to see if it made things different? (Assumption on my part that it's variable speed).

Yeah it just gets worse with a speed increase. thx

I think I should do a simple test just holding it suspended with and without the pad on and see what happens.

2 hours ago, Vet said:

I think I should do a simple test just holding it suspended with and without the pad on and see what happens.

 

That would have been my next suggestion.  If it wobbles without the pad it is most likely time for a new one.

Edited January 27, 20251 yr by HandyDan

I would tend to agree that a damaged pad is likely.  I like to replace the pads now and then anyway, as their velcro loops tend to wear out.

 

Looks like the Bosch in the vid doesn't have the little belt.... too bad, those were usually the root of problems.

 

Bearings in modern tools tend to be very loosely pressed.  Easier to assemble and their pockets wear out quickly (also castings can be lighter with a light press on the bearings).  A win-win for the manufacturers.  I would check that the first bearing in that vid didn't get popped into a cock eyed position or something.  The drop won't damage a bearing, but it will damage a light press bearing pocket in a zinc or aluminum casting.

Edited January 28, 20251 yr by JWD

I haven't got back to it yet to test but when I do I'll let you know the results.  I appreciate the thoughts

I have an older version of the Bosch.

  I would take off everything and run the motor. Hope it didn't warp the motor shaft. Maybe where the bearings sits and a small amount got chipped  away. Chances are you probably warped something.  If the motor still runs smooth I think the rest of the pieces are available so add the things one at a time , run it then add more.

  I think I have an older version and it sure is hard to keep a good grip the time.. I have these thick bath mats I lay around the area that might catch it is it is heading to the floor. Let every one know if you find the problem and what was out of balance.

So I did a couple of tests today.  First just holding it in my hand and running with the pad on at various speeds there appeared to be no vibration. That kind of surprised me.  When i put it to a surface it vibrated . I took the pad off but didn't see anything obviously wrong to me.  I ran it with the pad off.  It's not designed to be run this way as there was a ton of vibration.  I guess an option would be to replace the pad but it's pretty soft I'd be surprised if that was it.  Ya never know though I guess. It's still usable but I don't like the tool the way I did.  I may get the opinion of a local tool shop (Acme Electric) and see what they think..  Not sure.

Appreciate all the input.

2 hours ago, Vet said:

I may get the opinion of a local tool shop (Acme Electric) and see what they think..  Not sure.

 

They may have a good pad they can try on it.  But if they charge for their time to test it, buying the pad would be cheaper.

Try putting the pad back on.  Maybe it just got knocked out of alignment.

Edited January 28, 20251 yr by HandyDan

3 hours ago, HandyDan said:

 

They may have a good pad they can try on it.  But if they charge for their time to test it, buying the pad would be cheaper.

Try putting the pad back on.  Maybe it just got knocked out of alignment.

Yeah I tried it after I put it back on the results were the same.  I can gamble on a new pad if I feel lucky.. but it would be nice if if there was another pad to just try on it.

Is your bearings completely free. If the bearing is getting hard to spin by your hand then force some oil past the rubber seal and hope some of it gets on the bearings.. The body shops use to use water on their fine sanding pads and would have to replace the bearings often.  You can pull off the rubber seal but its hard to keep it on the bearing after that. Need a bearing just take the old bearing to bearing supply and they can match it.. For a quick fix on a rusted bearing I would put lots of oil on the and use a blo gun to force some oil past he rubber. Then take a few minutes to spin it and lots of times this will help for a few days or more.

  An allen wrench can remove the counter weight

On 1/28/2025 at 4:35 PM, Vet said:

So I did a couple of tests today.  First just holding it in my hand and running with the pad on at various speeds there appeared to be no vibration. That kind of surprised me.  When i put it to a surface it vibrated . I took the pad off but didn't see anything obviously wrong to me.  I ran it with the pad off.  It's not designed to be run this way as there was a ton of vibration.  I guess an option would be to replace the pad but it's pretty soft I'd be surprised if that was it.  Ya never know though I guess. It's still usable but I don't like the tool the way I did.  I may get the opinion of a local tool shop (Acme Electric) and see what they think..  Not sure.

Appreciate all the input.

I think something is bent within because it jumps when you put it on a surface.  Could be the pad or it could be the drive shaft.

Most ROS sanders do a bit of jumping. 

 @Vet were you able to find a solution to your ROS issues?